Hearing nears on homeless services center

World Trade Center location is criticized

A volunteer citizen's committee recommends that the city award a contract to develop and operate a "one-stop" homeless center at the old World Trade Center on 1250 6th Avenue.
— Earnie Grafton / Union-Tribune

A volunteer citizen's committee recommends that the city award a contract to develop and operate a "one-stop" homeless center at the old World Trade Center on 1250 6th Avenue.
— Earnie Grafton / Union-Tribune

The Downtown Family Health Center on Broadway would move to the World Trade Center site if the city approves the proposal. Earnie Grafton/ U-T
— Earnie Grafton

DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO  A $31 million proposal to turn the World Trade Center building into a one-stop service and housing center for homeless people in downtown San Diego heads to a crucial hearing this week.

The proposed Connections Housing Downtown San Diego project would provide temporary and permanent shelter for up to 225 homeless people and a “mini-mall” of medical, social and government services inside the city-owned high-rise on Sixth Avenue.

Downtown business and property owners who oppose the project say a large-scale homeless facility in the city’s financial corridor would drive away commerce. They are urging city officials to consider other locations.

Supporters say the goal is to get the estimated 300 homeless people who live near the World Trade Center off the streets and into permanent housing and encourage other communities to follow that model to reduce homelessness.

“Homelessness is a challenge throughout downtown San Diego. This project will be an asset to the business core because it will help get people off the streets and get them the services and housing that they need,” said Jeannette Lawrence, director of government and community relations for Family Health Centers of San Diego.

Family Health Centers operates a clinic at Broadway and Park Boulevard that would be relocated to the first floor of the homeless services center under the proposal. Other partners are Los Angeles-based People Assisting the Homeless and San Diego-based Affirmed Housing Group.

The Downtown Family Health Center clinic serves about 300 uninsured and underinsured people each week. Many are homeless with multiple needs.

“If a patient comes to one place and has access to all services, housing, access to health care, food, clothing … they can start putting their lives back together,” said Dr. Claudio Cabrejos, a psychiatrist at the downtown clinic.

A city task force led by the San Diego Housing Commission in April recommended the one-stop proposal to replace the city’s annual winter shelter program. The City Council’s Land Use and Housing Committee delayed a vote and gave project leaders 90 days to meet with downtown groups to explain the proposal and address concerns.

The Land Use committee hears the matter on Wednesday. It will consider whether to recommend the full council enter exclusive negotiations with those behind the project.

Tim Cowden, a commercial real estate consultant, plans to speak against the endeavor, saying it would dry up business in the area. Cowden worries about homeless people wandering around the business district during the day, panhandling, drinking and using drugs. He said businesses already avoid moving into the area because “they assume this is going to happen at the World Trade Center.”